New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-24
Nv OID 1fTSST1TENENT REVIVED.

AN OLD MISST1 TEMENT REVIVED.
Mr.. NJ. NJ. Ham. member of the Democratic
National Committee from Iowa, postmaster at
Dubuque, and editor of an "organ," publishes an
interview concerning tho next Republican nom
nation for the Presidency. He is, Of course,
against Mr.. Blaine. as all Democratic "organs "
arc He is so much against Mr.. Blaine that.
in his opinion, if his distinguished tOwnsman,
Mr.. Allison, should receive the Republican
nomination the wcll-known personal friend
ship of Mr.. Blaine for the Iowa Senator would
defeat him. Upon these amiable propositions
we propose no comment We arc Interested
only in the reason assigned by Mr.. Ham for the
fatality of Mr.. Blane's candidacy, and even
his friendship. which is that he broke up
Garfield's Administration" We do not even
comment on this because Mr.. Ham said it, but
because others Of more prominence, and per
haps moro malignity have said it before him.
We do not challenge the remark because of its
unkindncss or it's uncharltableness, or its in
appropriateness, but simply because 1t is
despicable falsehood, rs the record shows.
On the day that Garfield was shot, his Admin
istration stood as strong in this country as any
Administration ever did at the end OF four
months existence rs both his enemies and his
friends can testify. From that time onward
until the Presidents death in the latter part
Of September. period of nearly three months,
Mr.. Blaine rs the head Of the Cabinet. was
held responsible for the administration OF the
Government. This was peculiar and cmbar-
RAISING position, such as no man ever held be
foro in tho history of the Nation. Did 1T
" break ND Garicld's Administration 7 What
is the evidence Elections were held directly
after, all over the country. before President
Arthurs Administration was well under way
and while Mr.. Blaine still remained In the
State Department. If the Administration had
been broken up by Mr.. Blaine or by any other
agency 1T would certainly have been shown
in the decentralization Of the party that elected
it. But. on the contrary, the Republican vote
in the autumn Of 1851, taking the country
through. was relatively rs strong as that 10y
which Garfield had been chosen President the
preceding year Tho recession of popular
strength that usually follows n Presidential
election had not occurred. Ohio and Iowa voted
n fortnight after Garicds intcrmcnt. Gov
crnor Foster was e-clcctcd by larger plurality
than the state ticket received in the October
election Of 1850, while Iowa went Republican
by more than 80 900 majority. Three weeks
later in the November elections. all New-Eng
land went Republican by strong majorties. The
republicans OF Connecticut carried both branches
Of her Legislature, and Governor Long was re
elected in Massachusetts, by more than 10000
majority Ncw-lorll gave "A Republican ma
jority Of 10000 votes. Even New Jersey was
carried by the Republicans, with a strong ma
iority in each branch Of her Legislature; while
Virginia defeated the Democracy by many thou
sands. installing Mr.. Cameron. the candidate of
Mahoncs party in the Gubernatoral chair. The
West was literally all one way.
In these elections it may lie truthfully said
that as rule the only Republicans who suffered
in tho popular vote were those who had shown
unfriendlincss TO the Garfield Administration.
No whisper Of condemnation OF the policy or
projected measures. or even of the personal
and official issues, which had marked the Car
field Administration was heard. Not only was
Mr. Blaine, as already stated. still In Official
position remaining there until December IL, but
the whole Of the Garfield Cabinet, except Sccre-
rary Window and Attorney-Gcncral MacV cagh,
were still, and for a considerable period after
ward. at the bend of their respective departments.
The recession Of Republican strength took place
in 1882 and 1883, long after Garfield was in his
honorcd grave. In one or both those wears the
Republicans lost heavily on the popular vote.
Massachusetts. Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio.
Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Kansas and Colo
RADIO were all carried ly the Democrats some of
hem by enormous majortics. These nine States
had all voted for Garfield while California, that
was practically a tic in the Presidential election,
was carried by the Democrats i'll 1882 by a
majority Of % 000
Certainly Mr.. Blaine was not responsible for
the tremendous reaction Of 1882, and in some
states that of 1888. There had not been the
fa,ntcst sign Of 1T up 10 the time when he ic
tired from public life in December, 1881.
During 1882 and 1883 he took no part in pub
lie affairs, but was altogether absorbed in writ
ing "Twcniy Years of Congress-" In 1854, as
candidate for President, he received tho
electoral votes Of eight OF the Icactionary
States, and came within the mcrcst fraction of
carrying NcwYo also. We submit, there
fore. to Mr.. Ham, and TO those from whom Mr..
Ham borrowed his misstatcmcnt that on the
record from which there is no appeal, tho
Garfield Administration was not broken up by
Mr.. Blaine, or by any other political agency.
10 came TO an end by assassination and the
reaction against the Republican party came
after that. Let us all agree TO stand by the
facts.